Border 2 Music Draws Nostalgia But Lacks Originality, Critics Say

The soundtrack for Border 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 1997 war drama Border, has generated mixed reactions from critics ahead of the film’s theatrical release on January 23, 2026. While its use of familiar themes and melodies evokes strong nostalgia, reviewers say the album falls short of offering fresh musical ideas.

In a review published by Indian Express, the Border 2 soundtrack is described as “entertaining but hardly original,” with several tracks relying heavily on reworked versions of songs from the original film. While decades-old lyrics such as those in Ghar Kab Aaoge and Jaate Hue Lamhon still “hit your ear,” the lack of distinctive new musical identity leaves listeners questioning whether the nostalgia serves artistic purpose or simply plays to sentiment.

Many of the album’s songs are direct remakes of classics that carried deep emotional resonance in the 1990s version of Border. According to the review, this approach results in “expensive bootlegs of the real deal,” with new elements unable to fully escape the shadow of the originals.

The reliance on familiar material has also sparked debate within the industry. Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar revealed that he declined an offer to write new songs for Border 2, calling the trend of recycling old hits “a kind of intellectual and creative bankruptcy.” Akhtar argued that filmmakers should create fresh compositions for a new film rather than lean on established material.

Despite the critique, some of the remade tracks,such as Ghar Kab Aaoge, featuring vocal contributions from Sonu Nigam, Arijit Singh and Vishal Mishra—have resonated emotionally with audiences online, sparking widespread discussion and millions of streams across platforms.

The broader response to the Border 2 soundtrack reflects a tension between audience desire for nostalgic callbacks and the industry’s creative challenges in balancing legacy with innovation. As the film’s release approaches, both fans and critics continue to debate whether the music strengthens or undercuts the sequel’s cultural impact.

Border 2 stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, and revisits themes of patriotism and sacrifice associated with the original film, further amplifying expectations,including whether its music will live up to the emotional weight of its predecessor.